July 10, 2011--Former Gov. Tim
Pawlenty (R-MN) appeared on NBC News' "Meet the Press" as part of their
"Meet the Candidates" series. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
preceded Pawlenty on the program, talking about the economy and debt
ceiling negotiations. Host David Gregory opened his
interview with Pawlenty by asking some questions on those subjects. Pawlenty said
that Obama was "blaming President Bush, blaming the weather, blaming
the Republicans" for the state of the economy. "We're almost
three years into this administration,"
Pawlenty
said. "President Obama should look in the
mirror to see who's to blame for the economy in its
current state, and it's not doing well." The
interview ranged from state of Pawlenty's campaign to foreign affairs
to gay marriage.

However, it was
Pawlenty's attack on fellow Minnesotan and presidential candidate Rep.
Michele Bachmann that seemed sure to draw the most attention.

Pawlenty stated, "[H]er record of accomplishment in Congress
is nonexistent. It's nonexistent. And so we're
not looking for folks who, you know, just have speech capabilities,
we're looking for people who can lead a large enterprise in a public
setting and drive it to conclusion. I've done that, she hasn't.

"This is an election about the future of our nation - one where voters
will
have to decide who is best equipped to lead our nation by looking at
our records, as well as our vision for the nation. Instead of
negativity, I want
to focus on my accomplishments.

"I have fought the
cap-and-trade agenda, rather than implement it, and I will work to end
cap-and-trade as President of the United States. I stood up against
President Obama's support of the $700 billion bailout rather than
defend it.

"I was a leading voice, fighting against Obamacare and the
unconstitutional individual mandates; I did not lift my voice in praise
of
it. My message brought tens of thousands of Americans to Washington
D.C. to oppose Obamacare. As President I will not rest until Obamacare
is
repealed. And I will not vote to raise the debt ceiling.

"People can count on me as a fighter; I am proud of my record of
fighting
with resolve, and without apology, for our free markets, for sane
fiscal policies, and in opposition to the advancement of the big
government left. As President, the American people can count on me to
stand by my record of advancing pro-growth policies to put our nation
back on the right
track."